Dixon downs Pamlico 3-2 to remain in running for CPC volleyball title

BAYBORO — Dixon volleyball coach Heather Moore expects a tough challenge when her team squares off with Pamlico.

Adam Thompson-New Bern Sun Journal

BAYBORO — Dixon volleyball coach Heather Moore expects a tough challenge when her team squares off with Pamlico.

And that’s what she got Wednesday night as Dixon won in five sets and spoiled Pamlico’s senior night, 25-21, 24-26, 13-25, 25-17, 15-8.

Dixon (9-6 and 7-1 Coastal Plains 1-A Conference), which finished in a three-way tie with the Hurricanes and Southwest for the conference title last season, sit in first place with Southwest (12-4, 7-1) with CPC games left.

Pamlico (11-5, 5-3) lost in five sets to Dixon twice and Southwest once. The Hurricanes play Southwest on Tuesday.

“It’s a huge a win,” Moore said. “We knew that to stay in the race for the title, we had to win tonight. We are still battling back to prove ourselves as a team.”

Pamlico has all but assured itself of third place. If the Hurricanes win at Southwest on Tuesday, Dixon could win the CPC title outright. Dixon and Southwest split their regular-season matches.

“This game was huge,” Pamlico coach Heidi Griffee said. “I laid it out on the table and told them it was up to them. This is the point in time that was needed to make a run at first. That’s kind of out of our reach now, unless something miraculous happens.”

Dixon set the tone for the match by grabbing the first set. After Pamlico’s Kerri Taylor tied the score at 12-12, Dixon won seven of the next 10 points. Alyssa Aquafredda’s punishing slam gave the Bulldogs that first set.

“That helped us out a whole lot, to get on a roll,” Moore said. “That first game was crucial for us because when we get five or six points down, we have a really hard time coming back.”

The Hurricanes came back with wins in the next two sets. Kenzie Davis’ kill gave Pamlico a 25-24 lead in the second set before Dixon knocked the ball out on the next service.

The third set was dominated by Pamlico, which ended on a kill from Taylor.

Kelsey Pearce’s kill gave Dixon the win in the fourth set.

Dixon stormed out to a 9-3 advantage in the final set, which ultimately ended on Pamlico’s errant serve.

“We were up and down,” Moore said. “Passing was fantastic, but we made some really crucial errors that we don’t typically make — missing free balls, hitting balls out of bounds and we missed a lot of serves. That last game was fantastic. They came together.”

Added Griffee:

“I don’t think we were running on all cylinders tonight. We had some kids that were off tonight. Every time they hit they court, they have to lay it all out there.”